Top 10 places to sit on the patio from ‘Check, Please! Arizona’

With cooler months ahead in Arizona, one of the best ways to spend a meal is outside soaking in the good weather. On our show “Check, Please! Arizona,” we’ve featured numerous restaurants with beautiful, ambient patios for you to enjoy.

The Mick Brasserie

The Mick Brasserie’s menu is a testament to Chef Brett Menke’s travels, featuring dishes like sable fish with forbidden rice and beurre blanc sauce, crab cake over heirloom tomatoes and whipped ricotta with marinated mushrooms. The atmosphere is designed to be lively and welcoming, encouraging diners to share and enjoy a variety of flavors together.

“Check, Please! Arizona” guest Annice Laws praised the whipped ricotta saying, “It’s so creamy and delicious.” She highlighted the wine selection as her favorite aspect of the dining experience, adding that the crab cake served in lobster bisque was “luscious and velvety.”

Visit The Mick Brasserie at 9719 North Hayden Road, Scottsdale, or visit their website for more information.

Thompson 105

Perched amidst the breathtaking landscape of the McDowell Mountains, Thompson 105 beckons diners with its coveted patio offering sweeping views that encompass nearly 360 degrees, making it a prime dining destination regardless of the season.

The restaurant prides itself on its wood-fired grill, which imparts a delectable smokiness to everything from succulent chicken and perfectly seared steaks to fresh fish and vibrant vegetables. The menu boasts Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a subtle Italian flair, pleasing palates with a harmonious blend of flavors.

During a visit to Thompson 105 featured on “Check, Please Arizona,” guest Erica Maxwell was captivated by the stunning vistas of the McDowell Mountains while enjoying brunch on the patio.

Visit Thompson 105 at 10401 E. McDowell Mountain Ranch Road, Suite 160, Scottsdale, or visit their website for more information.

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse

Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse boasts three distinct patios: the covered patio, the courtyard patio and a rooftop offering picturesque views of Black Mountain, creating the perfect ambiance for dining al fresco. Live music entertains guests on the rooftop patio five evenings a week, adding to the allure.

Matt Keeler, the proprietor, emphasized that while the steak is the main attraction, the menu is designed for personalization, allowing guests to craft their ideal meal. 

“Check, Please! Arizona” guest Ben Cristoph shared his positive experience, stating, “The salad was great and had flavor,” after ordering salad and mussels. His entrée choice, a medium-rare filet with Yukon potatoes and asparagus, was described as “perfect in the middle, I was impressed. The potatoes were really creamy.”

You van visit Keeler’s Neighborhood Steakhouse at 7212 East Ho Hum Road, Carefree, or visit their website for more information.

CiBo Pizzeria

Nestled within a historic home, CiBo Pizzeria boasts a spacious outdoor patio, offering an inviting atmosphere for diners. Adding to its charm is a quaint cottage on the premise, available for small parties seeking a more intimate gathering space.

A standout feature on the menu is the frescas: fruit crepes of impressive proportions, brimming with fresh kiwi, peaches and a lavish topping of freshly whipped cream, embodying the essence of indulgence.

“Check, Please! Arizona” guest Ben Cristoph praised the La Noce pizza, saying, “The flavors went together so well, and the crust was amazing.”

You can visit CiBo Pizzeria at 603 N. 5th Ave, Phoenix, or find more information on their website.

Virtù Honest Craft

Virtù Honest Craft, situated in the heart of Old Town Scottsdale and helmed by Chef Gio Osso, stands as a culinary haven celebrated for its landmark fine dining experience. Nestled within the Bespoke Inn, the restaurant’s outdoor patio boasts lush Mediterranean touches, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Ted Simons, the managing editor and host of “Arizona Horizon,” recently sampled the delights of Virtù Honest Craft. Opting for the prix fixe menu, Simons commenced his culinary adventure with the burrata, a dish he praised as “so good, so beautiful.”

For dessert, Simons selected the sticky toffee pudding with gelato, a choice he labeled as “fantastic.” Simons’ pro tip for visitors: “Just go, and don’t rush.”

You can visit Virtù Honest Craft at 3701 N. Marshall Way, Scottsdale, or visit their website for more information.

Neighborly Public House

With a modern yet cozy atmosphere, Neighborly Public House mirrors this comfort in its menu, blending traditional American cuisine with inventive twists. Owner Chris Collins has crafted a dining experience at this uptown Phoenix restaurant that feels like a warm invitation to a best friend’s home.

“Check, Please! Arizona” guest Sue Sisley declared the barbecue salad as her favorite dish, praising its freshness and stating she was “blown away” by it. The coconut pie, according to Sisley, was “unbelievable.”

Sisley’s pro tip for visitors: Don’t miss out on enjoying the fabulous patio area, enhancing the already vibrant dining experience with a touch of Phoenix’s beautiful outdoors.

Visit Neighborly Public House at 5538 North 7th St, Phoenix, or visit their website for more information.

Josephine’s Modern American Bistro

Located just blocks from historic downtown Flagstaff, Josephine’s Modern American Bistro offers a unique Arizona fine dining experience. When locals want to dine out for a special occasion, this is where they go.

The most popular dishes at Josephine’s are the Diablo Shrimp, the Mac and Cheese and the Chicken Saltimbocca. 

Guest Rhonda Mathis suggested Josephine’s as her top pick. She orders the French onion braised short ribs and also Swiss cheese risotto in a sherry wine caramelized onion sauce.

You can visit Josephine’s at 503 N Humphreys Street, Flagstaff, or visit their website for more information.

The Hidden House

Located near downtown Chandler, The Hidden House is a lovingly restored historic home that captured the owner’s attention around three decades ago while he was a student at ASU. Transforming the cottage into a dining destination, he expanded it to include an outdoor patio and a spacious barn-like structure at the back, exuding a cozy farmhouse atmosphere and accommodating around 100 guests.

Owner Katia Brenuig describes the menu as eclectic, featuring a mix of Asian, French, Southwestern and American dishes, ensuring there’s something for everyone. She recommends the pineapple upside-down cake for dessert, promising a delightful end to the meal.

Guest Erica Maxwell enjoyed the sweet corn and chicken chowder soup, finding it “very flavorful and filling,” and she recommended focusing on the ambiance for an exceptional experience.

You can visit The Hidden House at 159 West Commonwealth Ave, Chandler, or check out their website for more information.

Farish House

Nestled near the historic Roosevelt Row in downtown Phoenix, Farish House, owned and helmed by Chef Lori Hassler, invites guests to savor what she lovingly refers to as “French grandma food.” The ever-changing menu boasts delights like cassoulets, petit filet, stews and mac and cheese.

“Check, Please! Arizona” guest Pedro Sanchez ordered Farish House’s award-winning tiramisu and said, “It’s the best tiramisu I have had in my life.”

The restaurant’s unique charm extends to each room, with decor that reflects its rich history. The patio, adorned with live jazz music, provides a delightful setting for indulging in desserts and coffee. Sanchez’s pro tip? Opt for a seat on the front patio to enhance your dining experience.

You can visit Farish House at 816 N 3rd St, Phoenix, or check out their website for more information.

Chelsea’s Kitchen

At the corner 40th Street and Camelback sits local hotspot Chelsea’s Kitchen. Based on the concept of an Arizona roadhouse—a low, ranch-style building with a generous patio–Chelsea’s is built of all Arizona-based materials. 

On the menu, you will find beef items raised specifically for Chelsea’s, along with chicken, vegetarian items and interesting appetizers like deviled eggs. They have a smokehouse area outside where they  smoke, roast and slow-cook their beef, pork and chicken. 

“Check, Please! Arizona” guests Nancy Griffiths and Kasey Denny enjoyed the pan-fried chicken, a boneless chicken filet. “It was perfectly fried, crispy golden, but still juicy on the inside,” they explained.

Visit Chelsea’s Kitchen at 5040 N 40th Street, Phoenix, or visit their website for more information.

Want more Arizona restaurant recommendations? Watch “Check, Please! Arizona” for inspiration for your next meal out, with diverse options all over the state!